ERGOTISM

ergotism

(noun) poisoning by ingestion of ergot-infected grain products; characterized by thirst and diarrhea and nausea and cramping and vomiting and abnormal cardiac rhythms; in severe cases it can cause seizures and gangrene of the limbs

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

ergotism (countable and uncountable, plural ergotisms)

The effect of long-term ergot poisoning, traditionally due to the ingestion of the alkaloids produced by the Claviceps purpurea fungus which infects rye and other cereals, and more recently by the action of a number of ergoline-based drugs.

Synonyms

• ergotoxicosis

• Saint Anthony's fire

Etymology 2

Noun

ergotism (plural ergotisms)

A logical deduction.

Anagrams

• gritsome

Source: Wiktionary


Er"go*tism, n. Etym: [F. ergotisme, fr. L. ergo.]

Definition: A logical deduction. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Er"got*ism, n. Etym: [From Ergot, n.; cf. F. ergotisme.] (Med.)

Definition: A diseased condition produced by eating rye affected with the ergot fungus.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

4 February 2025

DISKETTE

(noun) a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit; used to store data or programs for a microcomputer; “floppy disks are noted for their relatively slow speed and small capacity and low price”


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Coffee Trivia

There are four varieties of commercially viable coffee: Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa, and Robusta. Growers predominantly plant the Arabica species. Although less popular, Robusta tastes slightly more bitter and contains more caffeine.

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